Eastern Bluebird

(Sialia sialis)

Where: Richmond, VANotes: As I sat in thought of what picture to post for this weeks PhotoBlog, I looked over at The Bird Spa. An American Robin splashed in the trickling water, I saw a flash of blue dart across the background. It was a male Eastern Bluebird. The female had visited the birdbath just a couple of days ago. A small flock of them often hangs around the neighborhood this time of year. Finally, the Robin finished what seemed like an eternal rinsing and then flew off. I watched and waited. Then, as I was just about to give up, a brilliant blue once again filled the scene. He went immediately into the water and began to bathe with his back toward me. Most of the time the view of its face was obstructed, but occasionally he would stop to scan the area for trouble. That is when I would click off a shot or two. Having found none, he quickly returned to his cleaning. After a couple of minutes, a second Bluebird joined in on the fun. Perhaps it was a sibling? The first bird left and the second took its turn, and was gone after just a few moments. How fleeting is the beauty in life sometimes. Here one moment, and gone the next. But there is always that return, that arrives at the perfect moment, to enrich and bring appreciation back into our lives.

THE BIRD SPA

Birds, like all other animals, prefer habitats that meet all their basic survival needs: food, shelter and WATER! They depend on water to condition their feathers for flight, to help maintain their body temperature, for hydration, and for hygiene. A landscape with a consistent, clean running water source will attract both a greater number of species and a higher count of birds. This especially applies to the many migratory and insect-eating species too. The Bird Spa is a low maintenance water feature, designed specifically for birds. Has ATTRACTED 80 DIFFERENT SPECIES at a single location in central Virginia!
AVAILABLE ONLINE AND AT EVENTS • SEE: TESTIMONIES • MORE INFO: THE BIRD SPA • SEE: VIDEOS